Attention! This book contains: strong friendships, memories coming back, bullets, bowling alleys, trucks, journals, notes, the flare, pain and a lot of cranks.
Newt has been to hell and back with his friends.
The Glade. The Maze. The Scorch. The inner halls of WICKED. But now he has a burden that can’t be shared with Thomas and the others—the Flare. And Newt can’t bear the thought of his friends watching him descend into madness as he succumbs to the virus.
Leaving only a note, Newt departs the Berg before the Gladers return from their mission into Denver, Colorado. From there, he experiences the gritty nightmare of life on the streets, running from the infected and those hunting them, until he ends up in the Crank Palace, the last dumping ground of those without hope. Although Newt thought he was running away from his friends to save them from himself, along the way he meets a young mother named Keisha and her son, Dante, who end up saving Newt in a way he could never have imagined.
Taking place during the latter events of The Death Cure, Crank Palace tells the story of Newt like never before, from inside his own mind, as he searches for meaning in a life gone horribly wrong. He will try to fulfill a newfound destiny before his path leads to its inevitable conclusion—and one last meeting with his best friend.
I recently reread the ENTIRE “Maze Runner” series – prequels and all -, and for what, you may ask? Well, to read this one with a fresh memory, of course! Honestly… this was better than I thought it would be! Newt is one of my favorite characters, so there was no way in hell I wouldn’t read this. This novella shows Newt’s POV while he wasn’t present during most of the plot of the third book of the trilogy “The Death Cure”. This book fills the gaps and shows what was happening with Newt! He meets a woman named Keisha and her son Dante, and he spends most of his last days with them, with the goal of trying to reunite them with their family. I loved the new characters that were introduced and how they protected Newt – and even made him laugh some times. I usually don’t love James Dashner’s female characters, but I loved Keisha! This novella was very heartbreaking and I (almost) cried multiple times while reading it. It was painful to see Newt suffering so much and going in and out of consciousness. Now that I’m thinking about it, that’s probably why I like this series so much. I just feel so connected to these characters like I know them in real life – so I feel their pain and I root for them. Even though it was a very sad read, I’m glad Newt got to remember some things about his past and also got to know about Sonya. Not only that, but Newt wasn’t alone most of the time. He found good people that cared about him. Those are a few positive things that readers are able to take from this book. The ending was surprising to say the least. The last appearance in the end was not expected, and the things said were also very surprising. It made me think if James Dashner is thinking about writing a new sequel! And let me tell you friends: if there was another book in “The Maze Runner” series to continue the “Newt’s journal” situation by Thomas getting to read it, I would probably pick it up. With that said, I know this book also serves as a prequel for a new series based on “The Maze Runner” series, named “The Maze Cutter”. I honestly have no desire to pick up this new series because I just know I will be disappointed. So no, I won’t be going down that rabbit hole. I’ll just keep going back to “The Maze Runner” from time to time when I miss the characters. Now, the real questions you may have: Was this novella necessary? Probably not. Is it worth reading? Yes! Just prepare the tissues when you pick it up.
“You don’t take away my freedom without asking first.” – 3.5/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: This book contains: telepathy, secret files, tests, monitors, betrayals, secrets, a purge, cranks, experiences and subjects.
Once there was a world’s end.
The forests burned, the lakes and rivers dried up, and the oceans swelled.
Then came a plague, and fever spread across the globe. Families died, violence reigned, and man killed man.
Next came WICKED, who were looking for an answer. And then they found the perfect boy.
The boy’s name was Thomas, and Thomas built a maze.
Now there are secrets.
There are lies.
And there are loyalties history could never have foreseen.
This is the story of that boy, Thomas, and how he built a maze that only he could tear down.
All will be revealed.
Was this book necessary? I’m having a hard time answering this. On one side, I think it was cool that it showed what we discovered late in the trilogy – more specifically how Thomas and Teresa helped create the maze, how they developed their telepathy, etc. – and also how the chancellor ascended to power… but at the same time, some parts felt a little too unbelievable.
There’s one small detail about this book that bothers me. What are the odds that the exact same group of friends formed before and after their memories were wiped? Because in this prequel, we see that Alby, Newt and Minho were already friends with Thomas and Teresa before the trials started… just like in the maze. And not only that, but Chuck already had a deep relationship with Thomas by being his “younger sibling” before the memories were wiped. I just think this was a little far fetched and too perfect/convenient. I can see how some people may gravitate towards specific people but c’mon… about 50 kids were going to be sent to the maze and they formed the exact same group of 5 or 6 people?
I was also hoping that there would be a more specific explanation on why putting kids in a maze would be helpful in finding a cure to the flare. Sure, apparently they were trying to build a blueprint according to their behavior, but what would they do with that information? But yeah, don’t listen to me – I’m probably overthinking and this is just a science fiction series.
One thing that made me happy was to revisit these characters. I just love this group of characters so much. Even though it didn’t make sense that they had the exact friend group, I was truly happy they were part of the spotlight again – especially because their personalities shine through with or without their memories being wiped. Also, Newt has a sister! That was so cool, I was not expecting to see that she was also important to the story!
As usual, I need to say this as well: I really liked the audiobook narrator (I think he’s the same person narrating the other audiobooks), and I truly think he’s perfect to narrate this series!
I honestly don’t think this book was super relevant or added something important to the main story – well, maybe just the chancellor thing. I would still consider rereading the original trilogy, but I wouldn’t waste my time reading the prequels again.
Edit: Jokes on me – I did reread the prequels. And again: not worth it.
“Let’s get this started, people. It won’t be long before we all lose our minds.” – 2.5/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: darts, a virus, sun flares, cranks, the PCF, bergs, flat trans, crazy people, sacrifices, a little girl, two transvices and a kill order.
Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.
Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.
Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive.
I’m disappointed.
The only thing I knew before going into this book is that this book would explain how the virus was formed. But I didn’t know it would have (almost) nothing to do with the main characters of the trilogy, and that’s probably why I was so disappointed.
I was bored the entire time. The book was filled with a lot of fluff and the action scenes were exaggerated and unrealistic, and… well, were just plain boring. For example, there is a whole chapter in the end of the book dedicated solely to Mark fighting a man. The entire chapter… I wish I was kidding.
The romance was also pretty weak. I didn’t really care about Trina or Mark’s love for her. I just didn’t. I also didn’t care for Misty, the Toad, Darrell, and the other irrelevant characters. I didn’t care for almost anyone in this book, how is that even possible?
Throughout the book I had my suspicions that Deedee was Teresa, but I was never sure of that until I found out online that there is a secret chapter only a few editions have. The “Secret File” chapter consists of Teresa telling Thomas that her name was Deedee. So if I didn’t do my homework I would never be sure. Why is it that only a few editions have this special chapter? I didn’t think it was fair that only a few people could have access to such an important chapter – but maybe that’s just me.
On the positive side… I did like Alec a lot! I loved his personality and his presence in the book. I also loved the audiobook narrator, Mark Deakins. As always, he did an amazing job narrating another book from the Maze Runner series. Even though the book was pretty boring, he sure made it fun to listen. I also feel like I’m starting to understand Dashner’s style. I’m definitely starting to identify some things that are part of his personal mark! Even though this is not my favorite book from him, I still like his style of writing.
So what do you take from this book? In conclusion: how the sun flares affected the planet, the story of how the virus was spread, and Teresa’s story before WICKED. I wish the story was better, but it is what it is!
Here I am with another recommendation post! Today’s recommendation post is all about creepy thrillers I loved. I really enjoy reading thrillers, but I noticed I usually don’t talk about them here on the blog – so I decided to change that!
This list was very easy to make because I’ve read some really amazing thrillers that creeped me out! But after some thought, I have put together a list of my top 5 books I would recommend to my reader friends who love a good, unsettling thriller. So here is my crème de la crème:
Cool list, huh? Let’s see each one of the picks a little closer!
1. The Broken Girlsby Simone St. James
First on the list we have “The Broken Girls” by Simone St. James. This was a great book – very close to being a perfect thriller/horror book, to be honest. This story is told in two parallel timelines, one in 1950 and another one in 2014. In 1950, we are given the daily life of four friends that lived in a boarding school for “troubled girls” named Idlewild. There were rumors that the school was haunted by a ghost named Mary Hand, who knows all about the girls’ worst fears. The four girls share a room and they become close friends after sharing their fears with each other… until one of them disappears. Nobody knows what happened to the girl and the mystery was never solved… until a journalist finds out in 2014. I loved the story, I was entertained the entire time, and I couldn’t put the book down because I was so invested in everything that was happening. Not only that, but the book was so creepy that after I put the book down I kept looking at the corners of my house afraid I might see something scary! It was an amazing experience that both intrigued me and made me anxious. I definitely loved and recommend this one!
Synopsis
“Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears… Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case. When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced…”
2. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Next we have “The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware! I have to be honest with you: this is not a perfect book and I have mixed feelings about it for a very specific reason.
When I first read this I was simultaneously immersed in the story; scared most of the time and intrigued to know how it was all going to end. There’s definitely something nerve racking about the house history, and the poison garden and the previous family. Even the Happy application got creepy sometimes!
The reason why I have mixed feelings is because of the ending. I personally thought it was a little weak and rushed, and for that reason I didn’t love this book from beginning to end. With that said, I still think this was a very entertaining book and is still a really good thriller/mystery that provides a great reading experience. And for that reason, I would still recommend it!
Synopsis
“When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family. What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder. Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant. It was everything. She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is. Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.”
3. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
A great book that I would also like to recommend to you is the amazing “Imaginary Friend” by Stephen Chbosky. To be fair, I would identify this book as horror, but I still think it should be part of the thriller genre. I got chills reading it and I felt uncomfortable most of the time, but it’s not an in-your-face kind of horror. It’s more of a disturbing kind, like Stephen King’s horror books. I was creeped out most of the time because of the way the story kept building up. There is almost nothing comforting about this story other than the relationship between Christopher and his mother. You just feel uncomfortable most of the time – but in a good way! What makes this book so great to me is the combination of writing, characters and overall plot. I don’t think I ever read something like this, but I liked it a lot. It was a very interesting book, to say the least. I truly can’t recommend this one enough!
Synopsis
“Christopher is seven years old. Christopher is the new kid in town. Christopher has an imaginary friend. We can swallow our fear or let our fear swallow us. Single mother Kate Reese is on the run. Determined to improve life for her and her son, Christopher, she flees an abusive relationship in the middle of the night with her child. Together, they find themselves drawn to the tight-knit community of Mill Grove, Pennsylvania. It’s as far off the beaten track as they can get. Just one highway in, one highway out. At first, it seems like the perfect place to finally settle down. Then Christopher vanishes. For six long days, no one can find him. Until Christopher emerges from the woods at the edge of town, unharmed but not unchanged. He returns with a voice in his head only he can hear, with a mission only he can complete: Build a treehouse in the woods by Christmas, or his mother and everyone in the town will never be the same again.”
4. Mexican Gothic by Sílvia Moreno-Garcia
“Mexican Gothic” was an amazing read. Just like with “Imaginary Friend”, this is mostly a horror book, but could still be part of the thriller genre. It starts out nice and slow, and it escalates to a creepy story! This book has a very interesting and different approach to the typical “haunted house” story because of the unique main character and unique setting: Mexico. It was a very atmospheric and rich reading experience! Still, I have to warn you that there are some disturbing scenes that happen. Not only there are some creepy gore scenes, but there is also a few sexual assault scenes that gave me goosebumps. So here’s your warning if you’re triggered by these topics. Overall I was very happy with the book! I thought it was very creative and different.
Synopsis
“After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region. Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom. Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness. And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.”
5. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
This book wins first place being the creepiest book I have ever read. How to describe this masterpiece? I don’t think I can describe this book other than: this was a crazy, insane roller coaster. After I finished the book I had to put it down and process for a few days what happened before I sat down and wrote a review on it. This book provides a very immersive experience, so I guarantee you’ll feel the unsettling and creepy setting in your bones! There’s a lot of confusion from the point of view of the reader, and I can’t say a lot about what this book is about… but I promise you it’s a very cool experience. The ratings are so polarized with this book, and I completely understand why. The truth is: you either love it or hate it. And I absolutely loved it. It was unsettling, mysterious and confusing in a really good way. Give it a go! Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.
Synopsis
“This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. All these things are true. And yet they are all lies… You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong. In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…”
And there you have it! These are some of my favorite creepy books. I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read! As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I hope you liked what I had to share with you today. I’ll see you in the next one! 🙂
“Kill me. If you’ve ever been my friend, kill me.” – 3.5/5 stars!
It’s the end of the line.
WICKED has taken everything from Thomas: his life, his memories, and now his only friends—the Gladers. But it’s finally over. The trials are complete, after one final test.
Will anyone survive?
What WICKED doesn’t know is that Thomas remembers far more than they think. And it’s enough to prove that he can’t believe a word of what they say.
The truth will be terrifying.
Thomas beat the Maze. He survived the Scorch. He’ll risk anything to save his friends. But the truth might be what ends it all.
The time for lies is over.
What a cool and intense conclusion to an amazing series! Still. I have to admit that this was not my favorite book of this series. Actually, it was my least favorite book of the trilogy, but only by comparison. “The Maze Runner” is my favorite, next is “The Scorch Trials” and then in third place is “The Death Cure”. This was pretty good still, I just think the plot was not as great – and I may be salty because of what happened to one of my favorites.
The conclusion was satisfying, but there were a lot of sad moments that (almost) made me cry – ok, who am I kidding, I definitely cried. It’s a book with a lot of action and a fast pace. Like I said, the plot for this one didn’t grab me like the first two books did, but it was still okay.
Just a little side note: if you are thinking of reading these books based on what you saw from the movies, prepare yourself to be surprised because the books are very different from the movies. You know when movie adaptations are a bit different and they incorporate a few scenes from the book? This is not the case because most of it has nothing to do with the original story. There are very few scenes that actually match the movies, but the most surprising thing for me was how different the storylines were. The first movie is similar but the last two movies are very different from the original books.
My favorite character of the whole series was definitely Minho! From the inappropriate things he said to his personality in general… everything he said/did made the book really fun. I just feel really sad about Newt and I wish he’d survived. The three boys made such an amazing team. I also had a hard time liking Theresa, and I honestly didn’t feel bad for her death. And I’m glad Thomas and Brenda had a chance to be together!
I also have to talk about the narrator. Mark Deakins is by far one of the most amazing narrators I have encountered in audiobooks. He added so much to this trilogy and I’m very glad I picked up the audiobook version!
This book was heartbreaking, and a little shocking and unexpected. I liked it and thought it was an okay conclusion to the series. I’m listening to “The Kill Order” next! Time for the prequels 🙂
“Anybody else wanna pee their pants and cry for mommy?” – 3.5/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: trials, bergs, cranks, shanks, old buildings, underground tunnels, metal teardrops, mysterious signs, new tattoos, the safe haven, sharp spears, rusty bullets, Rat Man, first kisses, the flare, telepathy, lightning strikes, betrayals, hunger, sand storms and a possible cure.
Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.
Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.
Once again, I had a good time reading this book! I recently reread it and I decided to lower my rating to 3.5. Fortunately for me, my feelings didn’t change too much. Some parts were difficult to read because there’s a lot of betrayal going on and you don’t know who to trust. And not only that, but you get a lot of crazy revelations.
Teresa is a very unlikable character and I don’t understand how Thomas is still crazy about her. It’s very uncommon for me to NOT root for the main romance of the book, but Teresa… just, no. Wake up dude! Anyways, I digress…
I came to an interesting conclusion while reading this book for the second time: the way the desert setting is constant throughout the book makes the story look very slow-paced. Since the setting doesn’t change for a very long time, it feels like the scenes are longer.
Just like the first time I read this, another familiar feeling emerged: I’m so surprised with how different the book is from the movie. The plot and setting is completely different, and I could only spot a few scenes that were used in the movie… I wonder why they changed it so much?
I still prefer the first book, but this was very fun as well! Oh, and the audiobook is phenomenal, I definitely recommend this format!
“Shouldn’t someone give a pep talk or something?” Minho asked, pulling Thomas’s attention away from Alby. “Go ahead,” Newt replied. Minho nodded and faced the crowd. “Be careful,” he said dryly. “Don’t die.” – 4.25/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: boxes, keepers, lost memories, maps, codes, secrets, huge spikes, a mysterious cliff, weird telepathy, WICKD, “shanks”, grievers, Fry Pan’s cookings, handcrafted weapons, blue deep eyes, “green beans”, a lot of running and a scary maze.
If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.
Everything is going to change.
Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.
Remember. Survive. Run.
I reread this book recently for the second time, and all the positive memories came back in a flash.
I feel like my opinion didn’t change that much, so that’s good! I wish I didn’t see all the movies before reading the book, because it was impossible not to compare both realities. I must say that I really enjoyed the whole concept of the book: the fact that someone decided to put a bunch of kids trapped in a maze for a survival experience is crazy. It’s a very raw and cruel reality to witness, and there is a lot of suffering – so be aware of that! It’s a true mystery of what’s really happening and why they are where they are, and there are a lot of questions that don’t have an answer… yet.
I just couldn’t stop thinking of how some of the characters were so similar to the movie characters, and others, yet, so different. “Movie Thomas” fitted the role perfectly, and so did “movie Minho” and “movie Teresa”. I was also intrigued how some of the characters were very different, like Newt and Fry Pan (physically) and Alby (personality). Not relevant to the review, but I thought I’d make that observation.
I also loved the small detail that their names are not their true names and that they were given nicknames related to influential people. I wish they mentioned this cool fact in the movies! At least I don’t think they did? I could be wrong though!
Another thing that I really liked and found interesting is how the gladers developed their own kind of language and communication. I’m not sure why, but it made the reading experience more real and interesting.
Even though I liked it, I missed the surprise factor to keep me going. I wished I didn’t know the story, because if I didn’t I would be hooked to this series!
I still love this book and story! Revisiting this story was the perfect way of completing my 2022 Reading Goal.
I hope you’re doing well. Let’s dive right into the Wrap Up for the month of March. This month was a good reading month and I was able to read 6 books in total! All the ratings for the books I read this past month are between the 3 and 4 stars tiers, so I think it was a positive reading month.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the books I read:
The Fever Code (The Maze Runner #0.5) by James Dashner: 3.5/5⭐
Crank Palace (The Maze Runner #3.5) by James Dashner: 4/5⭐
The Bone Housesby Emily Lloyd-James: 3.5/5⭐
The Club by Ellery Lloyd: 4/5⭐
Spare by Prince Harry: 4.5/5⭐
Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho: 4/5⭐
I can’t believe I’m finally saying this: I finally finished the entire (updated) “Maze Runner” series! I recently reread the trilogy and all the prequels because James Dashner released a new sequel for the series named “Crank Palace” and I wanted to refresh my memory before diving into it! That’s the reason why “The Fever Code” and “Crank Palace” are both on this list. I especially liked the new book and it was completely worth reading the entire story again.
I’ve also read a YA fantasy standalone I’ve wanted to read for a while now named “The Bone Houses” – which I thought was fun and entertaining -, a K-Pop inspired YA romance book named “Once Upon a K-Prom” and a really interesting thriller named “The Club”! I had a great time reading them and I recommend them all.
Now the star of the month was the amazing “Spare” by Prince Harry. I’m going to leave most of my thoughts for the review, but I’ll say that this book was very surprising (and even shocking at times). I was amazed with how vulnerable and honest Harry was about his life in the monarchy, and how the press affected his life so much.
I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon!
What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!
First of all, happy Spring y’all! I’m feeling so incredibly happy lately with the warmer days and all the pretty flowers blooming that I wanted to pass that feeling to you! I want to send you all love, and I truly hope you are all happy and feeling well.
Well, going back to today’s post: you know what’s coming – well, you read the title. Today I’m bringing you my TBR list for April! I admit March was an okay reading month, but not the way I planned. I read a few books, but I wasn’t able to finish all the books I wanted! My Wrap Up is coming soon and I’ll tell you all about it.
But since it wasn’t a month like I planned, I’m trying something different for April.
As you know, every month I create a 5 book TBR list monthly, which will include: 2 printed copies, 2 audiobooks and 1 ebook. The thing is, my physical copies are piling up because I wasn’t able to finish them all yet! So since I still have a few physical books to finish, my TBR for this month is going to be mostly audiobooks – with a single physical copy in the mix! I hope with this decision I will be able to balance things a little and catch up with my physical reads!
So, without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading this next month:
Why We Sleep by Mathew Walker, PhD We are starting strong with my first audiobook pick of my TBR: “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker. I’ve always liked to pick up random non-fiction books about random topics because I always learn a lot! I’ve heard great things about this book and I’m looking forward to learning a few new things about sleep. I’ll let you know if it’s worth it!
As Filhas da Floresta (El Bosque Sabe Tu Nombre) by Alaitz Leceaga This is the physical copy of the month! Unfortunately this book doesn’t have an English version available – it is only available in Portuguese (my copy’s language) and Spanish (the original version). I have had this book on my shelf for soooo long and now it’s time to give it a go. I admit I don’t know a lot about it, except that it’s a fantasy book about two twin sisters. I’m excited to see what it’s all about!
Me by Elton John I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know much about Sir Elton John. So I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about him and his life! So there you go – this is my second audiobook pick for April!
Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1) by Tricia Levenseller Tricia Levenseller is an amazing writer, and I truly love her young adult fantasy books. This the first book in a (fairly) new duology and I’m very excited to pick it up! I love to read book series, but I often don’t pick them up because I get bored easily if the series is huge. So duologies are perfect for me! I’ll let you know what I think of this one.
Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho My fourth audiobook of the list is a book I tried to read before but never finished: it’s the book “Once Upon a K-Prom” by Kat Cho. I’m a huge K-Pop fan, so I’ve had this book in my TBR for a while now. I believe this is about two teens that were best friends since they were kids, and they promised each other they would go to prom together when they grow up. The boy grew up and became a big k-pop star and he comes back to his hometown and asks the girl out! I’m very excited for this one, I believe this is going to be a fun read.
Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list for April! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you read any of these or if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!
I hope you are doing well and I hope you’re having a great day! Intriguing title right? I think it’s better to give you a little context first so you’ll understand the inspiration behind this blog post.
The pandemic completely changed my life in very different ways – some bigger than others, of course -, and one of the things that happened is that I’ve become a huge fan of k-pop and k-dramas. What are those, you may ask? K-pop is korean pop music and k-dramas are korean soap operas!
The funny thing is that I never understood the hype around both of those things. I never hated it, but I just didn’t understand it and why people were obsessed with it. But one faithful day I went down the rabbit hole… and I never came back!
I can honestly say that these amazing things that I discovered during that time gave me a lot of happiness and helped me go through those hard times. And so a new love began! After listening to a good amount of k-pop and swooning my way through a few k-dramas, I started diving into books inspired by them – as a dedicated reader should!
So here we are today! I decided to honor my love for k-pop and k-dramas through today’s recommendation post, and I hope you enjoy it! Here are today’s recommendations:
Good looking list, right? Let’s dive into them individually!
1. Bias: A K-Pop Romance by Lucy Gold
This was my first ever k-pop inspired read and it was everything I ever hoped for! This is a typical romance between a fan and her bias (her favorite person in a k-pop group). It was romantic, super cute and fluffy and as a plus… there was a lot of food talk! I kept getting hungry while I was reading this book! I believe this is a great option for k-pop lovers! Definitely recommend it.
Synopsis:
“K-pop star Wooyeong is hot, talented, and jaded from his fame. He’s also dead-set on one unwritten rule: Dating a fan would be social suicide. So why can’t he stop thinking about her? American fan Madison has just moved to Seoul, South Korea. It seems like every fan’s dream come true when, by a one-in-a-million chance encounter, she finds herself sitting across from her bias, the idol Wooyeong. Little does she know things have only gotten more complicated… This snowy Korean romance by debut author Lucy Gold is sure to be a new favorite for K-pop fans and romantic souls alike.”
2. XOXO by Axie Oh
Another book I loved is the amazing “XOXO” by Axie Oh! This is more of a kpop themed book with a forbidden romance. Starring an average girl who plays the cello and a Kpop idol from a boy group, this story is every kpop fan’s dream! They both attend the same fancy music school in Seoul and, of course, after they meet they fall in love. But like it would probably happen in real life, Jaewoo (the kpop star) can’t start any dating scandals. What I liked about this book is that it has a really good balance of fluff and seriousness. Also, the setting is very fun and it’s cool how they kept bumping into each other at school. It was a very light and fun read for me! Definitely recommend this one. You can find my full review of this book here and the synopsis below.
Synopsis:
“Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating. When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.”
3. Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
This is a good option if you prefer a Korean-American book. The reason for this is because iIt has k-pop… but it also has a very American prom! This is also a really cute book because the main characters were childhood best friends, but the boy grew up and became a big k-pop star. When they were little they promised each other they would go to prom together, so the girl was shocked to find her long lost best friend standing at her door with a rose in his hand and asking her to go to prom with him. Like I said, this is a very cute book as well and I loved the characters! You can check the synopsis below for more info.
Synopsis:
“What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school. Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing – she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that’s always made her feel like she belonged. So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love. Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants – even if she can’t stop thinking about Robbie’s smile…right?”
4. Flip the Script by Lyla Lee
My first k-drama recommendation of this list is “Flip the Script” by Lyla Lee. This a very cool read because the main character goes from a k-drama watcher to actually starring a role in a k-drama! This book is a queer YA romance between two girls, and you can find the synopsis below!
Synopsis:
“The first rule of watching K-dramas: Never fall in love with the second lead. As an avid watcher of K-dramas, Hana knows all the tropes to avoid when she finally lands a starring role in a buzzy new drama. And she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend who might be falling in love with her. After all, she promised the producers a contract romance, and that’s all they’re going to get from her. But when showrunners bring on a new girl to challenge Hana’s role as main love interest—and worse, it’s someone Hana knows all too well—can Hana fight for her position on the show while falling for her on-screen rival in real life?”
5. Seoulmates by Susan Lee
Nate, one of the characters of this book, is just like me: obsessed with k-pop and k-dramas! But not Hannah. And this book is great exactly for that: it’s very different and out of the box! This is more of a k-drama inspired book, but also it’s mostly a coming of age story with romance! Definitely worth checking out. Check the synopsis below if you’re curious!
Synopsis:
“Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends. But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs. But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them. Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?”
And there you have it friends! These are some kpop/kdrama inspired books I loved and will always recommend to my bookish friends. I hope you found this recommendation post interesting and I hope you found yourself some new books to read! As usual, I’m always looking for book recommendations so let me know if you have any for me!
Sprayed Edges 